Which Players of Indian Origin Will Play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
India will not be among the 48 nations competing at the FIFA World Cup 2026, but the tournament will still feature a strong Indian connection. Four footballers with Indian heritage have been named in World Cup squads for Australia, New Zealand, Qatar and DR Congo. While they represent different countries and footballing cultures, each of them has family roots that trace back to India. Their presence means Indian heritage will once again be visible on football’s biggest stage.
Who Is Nishan Velupillay?
Australia winger Nishan Velupillay will become the first footballer of Tamil heritage to play at a FIFA World Cup.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Velupillay has an Anglo-Indian mother and a father of Sri Lankan Tamil descent with Malaysian roots. The 25-year-old made his senior debut for Australia during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign and quickly established himself as a key member of the squad.
He currently plays for Melbourne Victory and has already scored several goals for the Socceroos during qualification.
Who Is Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid?
Qatar winger Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid is one of the youngest players at the tournament.
Born in Doha in 2006, Tahsin’s parents hail from Kannur district in Kerala. His father is from Thalassery, while his mother is from Valapattanam.
A product of Qatar’s Aspire Academy, Tahsin currently plays for Al Duhail and became the first player of Indian-Malayali origin to make a men’s FIFA World Cup squad. At just 19 years old, he represents the next generation of football talent emerging from the Gulf region.
Who Is Sarpreet Singh?
Sarpreet Singh is perhaps the most recognisable name among players of Indian heritage at the tournament.
The New Zealand midfielder was born in Auckland to Punjabi parents from Jalandhar. In 2019, he became the first player of Indian descent to play in Germany’s Bundesliga when he made his debut for Bayern Munich.
Now 27, Singh has represented New Zealand at multiple levels and enters the World Cup as one of the country’s most experienced midfielders. He has often spoken about growing up in a Punjabi household and idolising Indian cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
Who Is Samuel Moutoussamy?
Samuel Moutoussamy represents DR Congo but carries a unique Indian connection.
Born in France, the midfielder has a Congolese mother and an Indo-Guadeloupean father of Tamil ancestry. His family history traces back to South Indian labourers who migrated to the Caribbean during the colonial era.
The 29-year-old has earned more than 50 international caps for DR Congo and currently plays for Greek club Atromitos. His selection marks another example of India’s global diaspora being represented at the highest level of international football.
Who Was the Last Player of Indian Origin to Play at a FIFA World Cup?
Before the 2026 tournament, the last player of Indian heritage to appear at a men’s FIFA World Cup was Vikash Dhorasoo.
The former France midfielder, whose family roots trace back to Andhra Pradesh through Mauritius, was part of France’s squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. France eventually reached the final, where they finished runners-up to Italy.
For nearly two decades, no player of Indian origin appeared at football’s biggest event.
Is There an Indian Super League Connection at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Yes.
Haiti striker Duckens Nazon, who previously played for Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League, has been named in Haiti’s World Cup squad.
Nazon remains Haiti’s all-time leading scorer and will be a familiar face for Indian football fans who followed his stint in the ISL.
Why Is This Significant for Indian Football Fans?
Although India has yet to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, the presence of four players with Indian heritage highlights the global footprint of the Indian diaspora.
From Melbourne and Auckland to Doha and Paris, these footballers represent different journeys, cultures and identities. Together, they ensure that India will still have a meaningful connection to the FIFA World Cup 2026, even if the national team is not among the participants.
For Indian football supporters, that connection offers a reason to follow the tournament a little more closely.